Share this with

The future of the ATP Finals remains unresolved and two of tennis’ biggest stars Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have opposing views on whether it should move on from London.

London has hosted the tournament since 2009 and is contracted to keep it until at least 2020, while the capital city remains one of the frontrunners to host the event beyond then.

However, London’s O2 Arena faces serious competition from around the globe, with more than 40 cities thought to have expressed an interest in taking it away from the UK.

On Friday, Federer publicly backed London’s attempts to keep the ATP Finals on these shores, seeing no reason for change.

‘I think if it stays here it will be a good choice,’ he told reporters at the O2 Arena.

ATP Finals 2018 groups

Guga Kuerten

Djokovic (1)
Zverev (3)
Cilic (5)
Isner (8)

Lleyton Hewitt

Federer (2)
Anderson (4)
Thiem (6)
Nishikori (7)

Federer sees no reason for change (Picture: Anadolu Agency/Getty)

‘I don’t know what the options are. It’s important to look at other options.

Advertisement

Advertisement

‘But if the O2 is happy and the crowd keep flocking here, then it’s a good deal. Why not stay here? I don’t see there’s a reason to change, unless someone else really wants it badly and would support the tour in a big way…

‘But it’s been great here, I’ve enjoyed playing here. It’s been a good place to play and showcase our talents. I’m curious to find out what will happen.’

Federer and Djokovic have been the two most dominant players at the season-ending spectacle, winning six times in London between them, but the Serbian world No. 1 does not share Federer’s view that the tournament should stay where it is.

‘I don’t want it to move from London, I just feel like the concept of this event should be the one that travels,’ he said.

Djokovic has called for the event to move on (Picture: Getty)

‘This is the biggest event the ATP owns and you have the best eight players in the world in a unique format of the round robin system so you see at least a certain player three times in a week playing and I just feel this is a great leverage and opportunity to promote tennis all around the world.

‘I understand that you can’t keep a tournament for one year or two years but three or four years and then move it around, and I just feel like 10 years in one place is a bit too much.

Advertisement

Advertisement

‘Not because of London or because of anything to do with this event, it’s a great success here. I’ve personally had phenomenal success here so I should be the last one talking about moving it anywhere because I enjoy it but I think as a general idea of this event, it should be moving around.’